Table 1
Resources on cavity-dependent species within the built environment.
| TITLE | CONTENT | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Design for Biodiversity | RIBA published design guidance and technical specification for building-integrated habitat | (Gunnell, Williams et al. 2019) |
| Swift Mapper | RSPB published data set of records of swift habitats in the UK | (RSPB 2026) |
| EUROBATS: Guidelines for bats, insulation and lining materials | UNEP/Eurobats | Collaboration between Eurobats and the UNEP with guidance on the risks of insulation to bats and includes mitigation techniques for diverse scenarios | (Jahelková, Ceľuch et al. 2024) |
| Nature Recovery and Climate Resilience Playbook | Urban built environment strategy with actions to support the environment, including cavity-dependent species | (UKGBC 2022) |
| The Swift – A Bird You Need to Help! | Overview on swift conservation, provides best practice and guidance on swift bricks | (Jahelková, Ceľuch et al. 2024, Day, Mayer et al. 2019) |
| Swift Bricks: the ‘universal’ nest brick | Swift brick design and best practice | (Barlow, Priaulx et al. 2022) |
| Homes for people and wildlife | Resource for nature recovery in new developments | (The Wildlife Trusts 2018) |
| When Nature moves in: A guide to managing wildlife in and around buildings | Guidance on species commonly found around residences including how to manage building works in line with conservation laws, includes mitigation measures for development to existing buildings | (Bullock, Ferneyhough et al. 2013) |
| Biodiversity in new housing developments | Created in collaboration with the RSPB, with design and technical guidance for biodiversity friendly development, includes species-specific actions | (Day, Stephen et al. 2021) |
| Framework for a nature-positive built environment | Frames the built environment through potential to enhance ecosystems | (UKGBC 2026) |
Table 2
Urban cavity-dependent species.
| SPECIES | WHERE THEY CAN BE FOUND IN BUILDINGS |
|---|---|
| Swift | High off the ground in cavities under eaves, between the soffit and the wall, gaps in cladding, gaps in roof tiles, gaps in vents and inside the roof or wall cavities |
| House Martin | Outside buildings and under roof eaves |
| House Sparrow | High off the ground, under roof eaves and in wall cavities or in ivy |
| Jackdaw | Large chimneys |
| Kestrel | Building ledges |
| Starling | Under roof tiles and building crevices |
| Honeybee | Roof voids, wall crevices and chimneys |
| Mason bee | Tube-like crevices in walls and mortar |
| Wasp | Tube-like crevices in walls, window vents, vacant chimney flues, lofts and under eaves |
| Bats | Above ground level in roof voids, roof eaves, barge boards, verges, gables, wall cavities, openings in structural timber or timber fittings, gaps in cladding, chimney flues, soffits, gaps in mortar, stone or brickwork, gaps in doors and gaps around pipework |
[i] Adapted from: When Nature moves in: A guide to manage wildlife in and around buildings (Bullock, Ferneyhough et al. 2013).